Thakur’s Early Strikes Restrict SRH to 190
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) claimed their first victory of the season, successfully chasing 191 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in a commanding five-wicket win. Nicholas Pooran (70 off 26) and Mitchell Marsh (50 off 29) led the charge after an early breakthrough by Shardul Thakur (4/34), which helped limit SRH to 190/9.
Thakur made an immediate impact, striking twice in the third over. Abhishek Sharma (6 off 6) fell to long-on, while Ishan Kishan departed for a golden duck after edging behind. Despite the setbacks, Travis Head counterattacked, smashing two sixes and a four off Avesh Khan.
Head received a lifeline when Nicholas Pooran dropped him at long-on, but his luck ran out when Prince Yadav cleaned him up for 47 off 28 balls. Nitish Kumar Reddy (32 off 28) and Heinrich Klaasen (26 off 17) tried to stabilize the innings, but an unfortunate deflection off Prince Yadav’s hands led to Klaasen’s bizarre run-out.
At 156 for 7 in 16.2 overs, Aniket Verma (36 off 13) injected late momentum with five sixes, while Pat Cummins (18 off 4) added a quick cameo. However, LSG’s bowlers held firm, conceding just 10 runs in the last two overs, with Thakur finishing strong.
Pooran and Marsh Power LSG to Victory
LSG’s chase began cautiously, but Nicholas Pooran soon shifted gears, smashing two sixes and a four off Simarjeet Singh in the third over. Marsh joined in, hammering Shami for two sixes, propelling LSG to 49 for 1 after four overs.
By the end of the powerplay, LSG had raced to 77 for 1, marking their second-highest start in IPL history. Pooran continued his assault, bringing up the fastest fifty of the season, and by the seventh over, LSG had reached 96 for 1.
Cummins provided a breakthrough, trapping Pooran lbw for 70 off 26. With Pant new to the crease, Marsh took over, reaching his second consecutive fifty off 29 balls. However, two balls later, Cummins dismissed him, forcing a mistimed shot to long-on.
LSG Wrap Up the Chase with Ease
Cummins struck again, drawing an outside edge from Rishabh Pant, well taken by Shami at short third man. Despite these late wickets, Abdul Samad (22 off 8)* ensured LSG comfortably crossed the finish line, sealing their first win of IPL 2025.
